Latest news with #Kumbhabhishekam
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Supreme Court refuses to intervene in Madras High Court order on consecration rites in Tiruchendur temple
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (June 4, 2025) refused to intervene in a plea against a Madras High Court order constituting a committee to fix the schedule for Kumbhabhishekam (consecration ceremony) for Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu. A Bench headed by Justice P. K. Mishra however allowed the petitioner, R. Sivarama Subramaniya Sasthrigal, the Vidhayahar at the temple, to file a review plea against the High Court order. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had directed the constitution of a committee of experts to decide the timing for conducting the consecration ceremony at the temple. The petitioner, in the High Court, had argued that he said he had been the Vidhayahar at the temple for the past 13 years. During temple festivals and other functions he had to fix the timings for their commencement, pujas and celebrations and point out customary and Agamic practices and principles to be adopted according to the nature of the deities and the functions, he had said in the High Court. He had argued in the High Court that the date (July 7) and the timing fixed for the ceremony were not suitable for the event. The petitioner had sought a direction to the authorities to follow the ancient texts and literature and declare the consecration ceremony.
NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Top Court Refuses To Interfere With High Court Order In Temple Consecration Case
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea challenging the constitution of a committee by the Madras High Court to decide the schedule for Kumbhabhishekam (consecration ceremony) for Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi district. The court, however, allowed the petitioner to file a review plea in the High Court against its order. A bench of Justices PK Mishra and AG Masih was hearing a plea by the Vidhayahar of the temple when it passed the directives. It noted that the petitioner had already participated in the committee that, he claimed, was biased. In his plea, the petitioner argued the High Court had failed to address the core constitutional and religious grievance that state authorities cannot override religious autonomy and temple customs, particularly when he is the only recognised figure competent to chalk out the schedule. "The order under challenge is thus arbitrary, devoid of impartiality, and suffers from a manifest error of law," the plea said. Appearing for the petitioner in the top court, senior advocate K Parameshwar also said the state's interference was unwarranted. "The prescription of a 'mahurat' is purely a religious function. It has nothing to do with regulation of the state," he said. The lawyer said the temple in question is considered one of the six largest temples of Lord Karthikay in Tamil Nadu. He said the petitioner belongs to a family that was traditionally tasked to decide the schedules for religious ceremonies at the temple. The High Court's move has led the state to completely take over the temple's essential functions, he added. "It is pertinent to note that three out of five members of the committee had, even prior to the present proceedings, gave an opinion at the instance of the Respondents/Govt authorities, suggesting a time different than what was recommended by the Petitioner, thereby making the constitution of the committee, biased, prejudicial and a futile exercise," the plea said. Instead of adjudicating upon the matter, the High Court created a committee, failing to address the issue of constitutional religious rights of the petitioner, it added.
United News of India
6 days ago
- General
- United News of India
SC refuses to intervene in Tiruchendur Temple Kumbhabhishekam schedule dispute
New Delhi, June 4 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to interfere with a plea challenging the constitution of a committee by the Madras High Court to decide the date and timing for the Kumbhabhishekam (consecration ceremony) of the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur. However, the apex court granted liberty to the petitioner to approach the High Court with a review petition. A vacation bench comprising Justice P.K. Mishra and Justice A.G. Masih was hearing the plea filed by R. Sivarama Subramaniya Sasthrigal, the Vidhayahar of the Tiruchendur temple. The petitioner contended that the High Court's decision to form a five-member committee was arbitrary, biased, and violative of the temple's traditional religious autonomy. According to the petitioner, three out of the five committee members had already expressed opinions on the muhurat (auspicious time) for the ceremony prior to the constitution of the committee at the instance of the state authorities, making the process 'prejudicial and futile.' "The prescription of a muhurat is purely a religious function; it has nothing to do with regulation by the state," argued Senior Advocate K. Parameshwar for the petitioner. "This amounts to a complete state takeover of our essential religious functions. The committee's constitution is itself flawed." The petitioner also argued that of the five committee members, three have no traditional or historical connection to the Tiruchendur temple and belong to different sampradayas (religious denominations). He submitted that this composition disregards temple-specific traditions and Agamic customs. The petitioner approached the Madras High Court earlier, challenging the state government's unilateral decision to fix the Kumbhabhishekam timing as July 7, 2025, between 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM, allegedly without consulting the temple's Vidhayahar. The petitioner claimed the astrologically appropriate timing was the Abhijit Muhurtham (12:05 PM – 12:45 PM) based on ancient scriptures such as Kala Prahasiha and Sarva Muhurtha Chintamani. Instead of adjudicating on the muhurat directly, the High Court constituted a five-member committee including the Vidhayahar (petitioner), Sivasri K. Pitchai Gurukkal (Chief Priest, Sri Karpaga Vinayagar Temple, Pillaiyarpatti), K. Subramaniaru (Thanthri, Sree Subramaniaswamy Temple, Tiruchendur, Sivasri S.K. Raja Pattar @ Chandrasekar Pattar (Sthanikar, Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Thirukoil, Thiruparankundram) and Melsanthi, Iyyappan Temple, Sabarimala, Kerala. The petitioner approached the Supreme Court, arguing that the constitution of this committee was devoid of neutrality and ignored the unique traditions of the Tiruchendur temple. Senior Advocate K. Parameshwar argued, 'This is one of the largest temples of Lord Karthikeya. Deciding the muhurat is a religious act, not a state function. This committee was flawed from inception.' Justice P.K. Mishra said, 'The committee says you consented. Then why did you agree? Perhaps form another committee?' Parameshwar said, 'Three members are from different sampradayas. This is an essential religious practice and not subject to judicial review.' The apex court said, 'We are not interfering. But when you agreed to the High Court's formation of a committee, how can you challenge it now?' Parameshwar argued, 'The state has no role here. My family has been performing this function for generations.' The bench declined to pass any direction interfering with the High Court's order, citing that the petitioner had already participated in the committee meetings and a report was prepared. However, it granted liberty to the petitioner to file a review petition before the Madras High Court, noting that the petitioner can approach the Supreme Court again if necessary. 'Considering the petitioner's submission that the formation of the committee is itself flawed, we permit the petitioner to prefer a review petition. Respondents submit that the petitioner has already participated in the meetings of the committee and a report has been submitted. Be that as it may, the petitioner, if they so wish, may approach the High Court with a review petition, with liberty to approach this Court again,' the SC said. UNI SNG SSP
Time of India
27-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Mahakumbhabhishekam to be conducted on June 8
T'puram: The Mahakumbhabhishekam of Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple will be held on June 8. The ceremony will be conducted as renovation work recommended by the Supreme Court-appointed committee is now completed. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The event will feature dedication of golden domes (Thaazhikakudam), the reinstallation of Vishwaksena idol below the feet of Sree Padmanabha Swamy and Ashtabhanda Kalasam at Tiruvambadi Sree Krishna Temple. The golden domes are being dedicated to the temple almost 200 years after the last such event. This ceremony is taking place now after King Marthanda Varma renovated the temple and performed 'tripadi dhaanam' in 1750. Karamana Jayan, a member of the administrative committee of Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple, said the domes are being dedicated now because such a ceremony did not take place all these years. Three domes atop the sanctum sanctorum and another over Ottakalmandapam are being dedicated to the temple. The purification ceremonies and Kalasha Puja will start on June 2, while the Kumbhabhishekam ceremony will start at 7.45am on June 8. The Supreme Court-appointed committee recommended the restoration of the roof of the sanctum sanctorum, the idol of the deity and tanks of the temple after a survey showed that they required repairs and restoration. The court instructed the temple authorities to start renovation in 2017.
